Now that my tomatoes are finally coming in, I’m in full tomato mode!! I mean it is a major food group ! This was essentially born because I had a box of phyllo dough and needed to use it along with a counter full of tomatoes. So this little gem for the win!

1 sleeve of frozen phyllo dough, thawed

1 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon local raw honey

Zest of 1 lemon

Fresh basil

Salt & pepper

1/4 -1/2 cup good Olive Oil

Sliced fresh tomatoes, seasoned with salt & pepper

Thaw & unroll phyllo dough. Begin by placing first layer on a silpat sheet or parchment paper on a rimmed cookie sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil. Repeat for EVERY layer. And I promise it’s worth it! Mix ricotta, honey, zest, fresh basil, salt & pepper, and tablespoon of oil in with ricotta. Spread generously over top of phyllo leaving a slight edge. Then top with fresh sliced tomatoes. Bake at 400 for 25-30 mins allow to cool slightly before cutting. Top with more fresh basil, S&P, and even get wild and throw a little fresh parm!

Typically they lack flavor, tend to be dry and we’ll just nothing to get that excited about. Until now!

This is by far a DELISH burger that will have everyone asking you for your recipe! Now, let’s preface when this idea popped into my head, I had no clue if it would even be good so in true fashion I neglected to take pics in the process! Next time, I promise to take pics in stages and add them to the recipe. But for now you’ll get the after pic!

Turkey Zucchini Burgers

1 lb ground turkey

1 large zucchini grated & drained well (apx 1 to 1 1/2 packed cup)

1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped fine

1 egg

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning

1 tablespoon Ranch powder

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup feta cheese

Mix everything together and allow to chill in fridge for about an hour or longer. It’s way easier to form the patties if it’s good and cold. Then form parties I made 5 really nice size burgers. Got a nonstick grill pan nice and hot and seared each side for apx 3 mins. Then turn heat down and flip every 5 mins until cooked through.

And then the topping that was just off the hook!!

Roasted Zucchini Tapanade

1 large zucchini diced, roasted, & chilled

1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped fine

1 large tomato, diced

1/4 cup chopped olives

1/4 cup feta cheese

Roast zucchini and allow to cool. Add to the bowl with all the other ingredients and serve on top of the burgers. This is DELISH! Could have licked the bowl.

Today I’m testing 6 colors from the LimeLight by Alcone Enduring Lip Colors. These are long lasting lip glosses that do NOT dry out your lips! And they taste & smell yummy!! Which color do you like best?

It’s probably not what you think.
Some may think that trying and failing at things is a loss,heck no! I’ve had more dreams and ideas than even I can keep track of and I still find it ironic that my life has come full circle. As someone who’s always felt so self conscious about my own looks God empowering me with the skills to make others feel beautiful is almost overwhelming. Maybe that is why I ran from it for so long!

Two years ago I gave up.

I stopped fighting and starting listening.

I prayed

and promised

to follow the path that God intended for me.

WOW

I mean really.

WOW

Everything has changed.

Not overnight

Not in a month or 90 days

But over time (no kidding, years….) everything changed.

I read a book that literally stuck with me to this day I quote Jeannie Allen as I paraphrase; “your calling in life… Is where your passions and your burdens collide” that’s where the magic happens.

You see for years I kept thinking that my burdens were outside forces, things out of my control yet, just close enough to try. My horrendous relationship with my Mother, abandonment issues, toxic relationships with people, food, alcohol, what have you.

So 2 years ago I vowed to take care of me.

That’s right.

It was HARD

I had to remind myself everyday

I was not being selfish.

I am important.

I matter.

I count.

And ultimately God is the only one I can count on. People are flawed we make mistakes all the time. We screw up. We try our best and sometimes that’s not enough.

That was the day I gave it all up to God. I was done. I was on the floor of my shower and promised him that this type A, anxiety ridden, spastic would stop fighting and start listening.

If he brought it to me I would do it. You see I had to be faithful. In all aspects of my life. Not just where I was comfortable.

FAITH it’s a funny thing, you can’t be truly faithful if all you do is worry and undermine his plan.

I found Zumba class that I love and faithfully continue to go. I’ve met some wonderful friends who support and love me flaws and all. I found a church that I love. I’m back in a career that I’m really good at, not to mention spread light and love to women daily. Having someone tell you, “thank you for making me feel beautiful” is priceless. Having the confidence in myself and knowing that I can make someone’s day a little brighter by giving them a new haircut or suggesting a new lip color may sound really superficial but I promise you it’s not. It’s magical and I’m so blessed to be able to take the talents that God gave me and use them to bring others joy. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Here’s me in May 2014 and May 2016.

My heart is so full. You can change anything if you want to bad enough. And you are the only one who can change you. No one can fix you but you. I’m proof.

No filter, in a bathroom, at night. 43 years old. Think I’m aging fairly well. Thoughts?

So, I don’t know about you but my skin had already taken a beating from the heat & humidity. I have a pool and my son swims daily and competes so we are at the pool, outside all the time! I mixed the most amazing little concoction tonight and I gotta tell ya. My skin feels like a newborn babies!

Here’s what I used:

Mixed a little coconut oil with the Limelight by Alcone Scrubtini Sugar Scrub massage on my face for about 3 mins washed off with warm water and then applied 2 drops of Must Dew Skin Oil. Can you say HEAVEN? It’s like a Microdermabrasion without going to get a high priced treatment!! Score! And what makes this even better is the Scrubtini gives a killer shave and is an amazing body scrub!

I have to admit my own personal brushes NEVER get cleaned the way they should! But, now this will be yet another thing I will try to become better with. On the upside I do have some easy tips that make said washing quick, easy, & painless. I use 3 everyday household items. Dawn (original blue), white vinegar, & olive oil.

​(tried to upload video, it’s not working! Go visit my FB page to see it!)
For almost all my brushes I fill up the sink with warm soapy water with a splash of white vinegar and swish those babies around until they appear clean, brush across a paper towel to confirm cleanliness, set to the side or rewash. Now for brushes that I use for foundation, lipstick, gel liners, cream shadows etc I prefer olive oil first. Oil removes oil! Pour a little in a cup, swirl dab, repeat if necessary. Then wash them in the dawn/vinegar mix and poof you have clean brushes! I like to get excess wetness out on a soft towel and then stand to dry. The drying, if you ask me is the worst part! It NEVER fails. I always wash them when I think I’ll not need thing or at least a day, never pans out. Just realized I have to hit the cubscouts meeting in a few hrs. Typical.

I mean really who doesn’t love chicken on the Barbie? This perfection of a marinade came from just throwing random stuff in and winging it! Now the vinegar, you can use whatever you have. I typically use red wine, apple cider, or rice wine, but any vinegar should work great. The vinegar really helps to tenderize the meat. So if you are grilling skinless/boneless this will make them so much more tender! This is my summer go to grilling marinade. Enjoy.

Birdie’s Summer Marinade

Equal parts: (typically 1/4 cup)

Ketchup

Soy Sauce

Vinegar

1/2 that amount of vegetable oil

2 cloves crushed garlic

Salt & pepper

Salt & pepper chicken in both sides. Mix everything else together, dump on chicken and allow to marinate at least 4 hrs up to a day or two. Grill and enjoy!

I can’t say the quinoa craze has really hit me, the few times I tried it I thought it tasted like dirt! But, then a friend made a salad that was good. So, I am giving it another try. And this is yummy!! Full of flavor, which I think is the key!! Mint, parsley, lemon juice & zest, balsamic, feta I think you are getting the idea! FLAVOR and lots of it!!

Season all the veggies with salt & pepper place in large bowl. Make dressing and add 1/2 to bowl of veggies. Add quinoa, feta, and more dressing as needed.

Again flavor is why this is so good but, it’s even better if you make it ahead. I make in the morning or even the day before. Enjoy this healthy gluten free salad. I’m serving with my favorite grilled Greek chicken!